Thursday, November 10, 2016

Day 5 of the Ruby's Treasures Blog Hop

If you know me, you know I love 1930's reproduction fabrics.  When my friend Barbara Eikmeier told me she was bringing out a line of 30's fabrics in conjunction with Paint Brush Studios I jumped for joy and immediately ordered fabric bundles and panels to sew and to sell.  I had a quilt all lined up to make using 30's reproductions, a darling Alphabet baby quilt, and got to work on it right away using Barb's fabrics.  I love how they coordinate with the Painter's Palette Solids (by Paint Brush Studio).  The colors are so fresh and cheerful, and totally go together.
So when Barb invited me to participate in the Ruby's Treasures Blog Hop it was a no brainer!  Of course!  I poured through the blocks in Ruby McKim’s book One Hundred and One Patchwork Patterns.
It was really hard to pick just one.  But I saw a block named Skyrocket and I was curious about what it looked like.  What was Ruby imagining when she names a block after a rocket?  This was 100 years ago, remember, and sky rockets were the stuff of science fiction back then.  Here is the original pattern.

The original was a 12" block made using templates (with no seam allowance I might add), and set-in seams were needed to add the outer triangles to the block.  OH NO!  While I am perfectly able to do set-in seams I didn't want to do 8 of them in one block (and I had two blocks to make, no less) so I redrafted the pattern in EQ7.  The resulting block could be rotary cut, but the size and shape of the patches made that just as difficult as using templates.  Fractional measurements and odd angles, Oh My!
So I chose to do a paper piece blocks, and it was super easy to make.
Here are my EQ7 renderings for the block:
  
I wanted to do one with a dark background and one with a lighter background to emphasize the different looks achievable with this block.

I printed my foundation pattern on tracing paper and selected my fabrics for each block.


There are 8 section in each blocks and you need to paper piece each section first.  Here is the layout for the foundation pattern.


NOTE:  When you download and print the pattern measure the 1" square printed on each page.  If it is not exactly 1" you may need to adjust your printer settings.


I recommend pre-cutting patches for each section to speed up the process.  I did this by making an extra copy of the foundation pattern and cutting it apart.  I used each shape to create a template, and added 1/2" to all sides of the template.  Once I cut the first patch I stacked it on a folded piece of fabric to get the rest of the pieces.

Here is a cutting list to help you get started.  These measurements have the extra amount needed to foundation piece added in.  This is for the block with the green background.

  • Cut (4) 4" blue squares
  • Cut (1) 4" yellow square
  • Cut (4) 4" green squares
  • Cut (4) 3" pink and blue print squares, cut once on the diagonal to make 8 triangles
  • Cut (4) 4" x 6" yellow rectangles (use your paper template to trim the corners)
  • Cut (8) 4" x 8" green rectangles (use your paper template to trim the corners)


Cut the foundation pattern pages into sections.  There should be 4 corner sections and 4 sections to make up the 9-patch center.  If you a novice paper piecer you may want to watch one of the many great video tutorials available on U-Tube.
Reduce the stitch length on your machine to 2.0 or shorten it to a setting smaller than normal.  Thread your machine with 50 or 60 wt top thread and a light weight bobbin thread in the bobbin.  Use a quarter inch presser foot and a 1/4 seam guide (a strip of tape works well) on your machine bed.
In foundation piecing the fabric is always placed right side up on the UNPRINTED side of the pattern, and you sew on the PRINTED side of the pattern.
Pin the yellow cone shaped patch to the middle of the corner section, adjusting it so that there is about 1/4" seam beyond one of the lines.  Trim if necessary.

Then place the green triangle shaped patch on top of the yellow patch, right sides together. 

Do a "test flip" to be sure that when the green patch is opened out that it completely covers the area AND seam allowance of the area it is to cover.

 Sew on the line joining the two patches.  Start about 1/4" before the line and sew 1/4" beyond the line to secure the ends of the seam.


Remove the pin and press the green patch open.  Be sure it cover the area completely.


To trim the other side of the yellow patch, fold the paper pattern back on the stitching line.


Use an Add-A-Quarter Ruler (pictured) or a regular ruler to trim the yellow fabric 1/4" beyond the stitching line.


The Add-A-Quarter Ruler has a raised 1/4" edge which is butted up against the fold line to precisely cut 1/4" seam allowance.  It is a great tool and not expensive.


 After you trim off the excess yellow fabric fold the paper back out flat.


Position the other green triangle patch right sides together on the yellow patch.


Do a test flip - like you did before - to be sure the patch is positioned right then carefully turn the pattern over and sew the seam on the printed side of the pattern. 

Flip the green fabric open and press.

Turn the foundation pattern over and trim on the cutting lines.


Be sure to trim the corners of the triangles on the cutting lines.


Turn over and press the completed section.  You will need to make 4 of these corner units.



Foundation piece the four center section in the same manner.  They are easier to do because they do not have wonky triangles like these corner sections.  Join the two center section to make the yellow star center.


Sew the two side sections to the center section to complete the nine-patch star.  See the foundation pattern for instruction in how to join one section to another.


Add the corner sections, matching seam lines and corners.  Press seams open.


Sew the two opposite corners on first, then add the other two corners.


Press well after each corner is added.  Remove the paper from the seam allowances if it feels too bulky.


Here is the completed block.

Once you get the hang of paper piecing it goes very quickly, and you can actually chain piece sections to speed up the process.

Here is the second block with the light yellow background.


In this block I added an extra star point in green to give it the look of a friendship star in the middle.  

Let me know which version you prefer in the Comments. If you leave a comment you will be entered in my giveaway for a free pattern.  

Remember that ABC Baby Quilt I mentioned in the introduction?  The pattern will be published in The Quilt Pattern Magazine in 7 segments from January to July 2017.  I will choose one comment at random to win a 1 year subscription to TQPM so you will get all 7 installments of the ABC quilt.  

Here is a sneak peek of the quilt pattern you could win.



Don’t forget, if you haven’t already been to the Inspired by Fabric blog, hop on over there, sign up to follow (if you don’t already) and leave a comment there as well– they’re giving away fat quarter bundles of Ruby’s Treasures!

Here’s the schedule for the rest of the hop. Stop by Barb’s blog each day as well, as she’ll be sharing more about Ruby and the fabric collection she inspired.
Friday 11/4: Barb Eikmeier @ http://barbsfavorites.com/
Monday 11/7: Donna Lynn Thomas @ http://www.donnalynnthomasquilter.com/blog
Tuesday 11/8:Theresa Ward @ https://alwaysquilts.com/
Wednesday 11/9: Pat Speth @ https://nickelquilts.wordpress.com/
Thursday 11/10: Reeze Hanson @http://blog.morningglorydesigns.net/
Friday 11/11: Kelly Ashton @ https://kellyquilter.com/whats-new/
And here’s the link to Inspired by Fabric, our blog host. http://inspiredbyfabric.blogspot.com/

Thanks for hopping by!  Be sure to leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway!

62 comments:

  1. I love this baby quilt pattern! Our 5th grand baby is due in April!!
    Thanks for the great tutorial and fun blog hop....beautiful fabric!
    Your blocks are great.....like the first one!!

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  2. That is such a COOL block. I can't wait to make it in red/white/blue!!

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  3. Oh, I love your block!! Thanks for sharing and the template!! I can't wait to make one.

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  4. I love paper piecing! Thanks so much for the excellent tutorial and free pattern. I like both blocks but the one with the green background is my favorite!

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  5. I like the Friendship Star version. It gives more movement. Thanks for the PP tips.

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  6. I love the two versions of the same block. Great illustration of how the fabric effects the final appearance. Thanks.

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  7. Gorgeous block! Paper piecing makes things much easier.

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  8. HI,I like the green points on your Block=Friendship Block! Thanks for sharing! msstitcher1214@gmail.com

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  9. The block is lovely. Paper piecing gives such nice results. And the baby quilt is super cute!

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  10. I like the first block. More contrast.

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  11. I really need to try this block. Thank you for providing such a great tutorial.

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  12. Nice work! I have tried paper peicing once, and I think I enjoyed it. Will have to try again. :) I prefer the darker background.
    craftyccain@gmail.com

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  13. So happy you made the paper pieced pattern and shared it. Thank you. Your blocks are beautiful and so is the ABC quilt.

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  14. PS I subscribe to Inspired by Fabric through email.

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  15. I like them both, but prefer the one with dark background and yellow points. I really like your patterns and have made a couple of them, and thanks so much for your tutorial and foundation! Lovin' this blog hop and subscribe by email to Inspired by Fabric and Morning Glory Designs.

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  16. Both blocks are nice, but I like the original (green background) better. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  17. Your block looks really awesome, but it also looks complicated. I am not a fan of paper piecing so I would have to do it the old fashion way. LOL I love the green fabric. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  18. I follow Inspired by Fabric on Feedreader. Great tutorial! Thanks for the giveaway chance. Kimberly from LaunderedCotton at gmail dot com

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  19. I follow Inspired by Fabric via GFC. Love your block and the fabric choices.

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  20. You have made this block easier to construct. I look forward to making it.

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  21. I like the dark backround, enter me for the fabrics. 24Tangent@gmail.com

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  22. My favorite is the green background block - such pretty fabrics! Thank you for making this block into a paper piece pattern. Easier than using odd size templates. :)

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  23. I love this block --- especially the arrangement with the friendshio star in the middle. My mind is already thinking about what fabrics I would use! Thanks for the tutorual! cotten.gloria@gmail.com

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  24. You blocks came out great--paper piecing isn't hard at all and I'm not sure why I don't do it more.
    I also like the alphabet quilt!

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    1. Liz you are the winner of a free 1 year subscription to The Quilt Pattern Magazine which will feature the ABC quilt starting in January. Congratulations!!!

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  25. Love the first one best..but I'm partial to greens & blues too! :0 Both blocks are great! I have never tried paper piecing..thank you for tutorial for the blocks...you made it look easy enough for me to try! :)

    Thanks too, for chance to win your Pattern! :D

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  26. i love the bright green background for a toddler quilt, but I'm really drawn to the yellow for a baby girl quilt. I know, so pigeon holed but that is the way I am. Both are beautiful and thanks for sharing the pattern.

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  27. I like the light yellow background star. I noticed the different center colors right away. Thanks for sharing the pattern and the giveaway!

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  28. Nice way to use your EQ7. I prefer the dark green block. Higher contrast and I can see all the parts better. Guess I'm a high contrast kind of girl. Glad you made it back safely from Texas.

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  29. Nancy A: rangerer@sbcglobal.netNovember 10, 2016 at 5:41 PM

    I enjoy PP. I like both of your blocks, but I think I like the first block best. I guess it would really depend on the look or feel that you are going for in the completed quilt.

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  30. I prefer the dark green background. It is a beautiful block with lots of interest.

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  31. Love both blocks, but would probably make the first block. The the Alphabet Quilt. Have two young grandsons that would love the quilt.

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  32. I love the dark background. It's so dramatic.

    lin.web.28 at gmail dot com

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  33. Love the 1930's fabric and I like the dark green/blue background. Thanks for the chance to win the ABC baby quilt pattern.

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  34. I am a 1930's fabric addict. This is a great block. Perfect for paper piecing and of course your work is perfect.

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  35. I like the block with the dark background best, the star is more defined! Your quilt is beautiful, thank you for the chance to win.

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  36. Great block. Thanks for the paper pieced pattern. Both blocks are great. I think the green one is my favorite.

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  37. Sweet block! I prefer the yellow background.

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  38. Great blocks. I love the first one.

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  39. This is a beautiful block. I prefer the star with the dark background. Thank you for the descriptive tutorial.

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  40. I was wondering how you made the great points on your block! Thank you for the paper pieced template, and the detailed tutorial.

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  41. I love this block. Though paper piecing has intimidated me, your tutorial helps tremendously! Thanks.

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  42. Great block! I love the green background!

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  43. Great block! I like the first one the most. I haven't attempted much paper piecing yet but this gives me some incentive to try! Would love to win this giveaway because I've been collecting 30's fabric for a while and the ABC quilt would be perfect!
    cathylouwilson@gmail.com

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  44. This was a fabulous tutorial! I am also very glad that you chose to create the pattern in Paper Piecing, I do not do set in seams. I absolutely chose the lighter colored background as my choice; it allows the whole block to shine in my opinion. I would be thrilled to win your give away choices, they are superb! Thank you for sharing all that you have and I hope that you have a fantastic creative day!

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  45. Paper piecing was a perfect adaptation to this pattern. Thanks for the download. Karen
    kthurn(at)bektel(dot)com

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  46. I love the extra green print in the star! It makes it appear to spin! Your ABC quilt is adorable! ❤️

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  47. I like the version with the green background best.

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  48. Beautiful block--a paper piecing challenge for me!
    bjkaup(at)(abbnebraska)(dot)(com)

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  49. I love the second version with the extra green print. It really keeps the eye moving! Thanks for sharing this.

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  50. This block is perfect for paper piecing. Thanks for the pattern, the step by step instructions, and the tip to use tracing paper. It will be easy to find at the local office supply store. Your baby quilt is adorable too.

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  51. I haven't done paper piecing for awhile, but I may need to refresh myself with it to make this block as I love it! I like the yellow background block best, but both are so pretty!

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  52. Oh, just a lovely baby quilt. I may be tempted to make it as don't usually do P.P. but just one block is a doable thing. :-}

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  53. Thanks for the step by step info. That makes paper piecing easier. I make sample blocks when I need a break from my current project.

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  54. beautiful quilt. thanks for the block and step by step info

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  55. Great tutorial. I like the first block with the green background the best.

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  56. I like both,but i prefer the light background.

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  57. Really like both versions, can't decide. Thanks.

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  58. Nice blocks. The first one is my favourite.
    Thanks for the PP tutorial

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  59. Awesome block - really a charmer!! Thanks for sharing!! mumbird3(at)gmail(dot)com

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I'd love to know what you think! Thanks for sharing your ideas.